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For Kevin De Bruyne to move to MLS with San Diego FC, here’s what has to happen

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For Kevin De Bruyne to move to MLS with San Diego FC, here’s what has to happen


Each January brings many reports of varying authenticity of ageing superstars being “eyed” (or a a similar transfer cliche) for a move to Major League Soccer. Often, these links lean into the “silly” portion of the silly season.

At times, these are thinly veiled attempts to bolster a veteran’s negotiating position as they hope to stay among Europe’s highest levels. Other times, there’s far more weight to the links than merely keeping the transfer rumor mill in operation. The latter scenario is true of Kevin De Bruyne as he nears the end of his contract with Manchester City.

In May, The Athletic first reported on the mutual interest between San Diego FC and De Bruyne. At the time, it was clear that the modern Belgian legend preferred a move to MLS over the Saudi Pro League, with the midfielder considering the California market among his preferred destinations should he come Stateside.

Since then, De Bruyne has walked back potential disinterest in the Pro League, telling Belgian outlet HLN this summer that “at my age, you have to be open to everything. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the last stage of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that.”

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In late November, he tried to push speculation about his future off the radar, saying he was “not worried” about whether a new deal in Manchester would manifest. Now, six months from the end of his contract, De Bruyne is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any club outside of England.

San Diego is on the shortlist of his possible next destinations, with the MLS upstart and many suitors closely monitoring how much he has left to offer. De Bruyne missed most of the fall due to, as he said in late November, an abdominal issue that caused pain in his groin whenever he shot a ball. De Bruyne turns 34 in June, having logged 34,318 minutes in league action (to say nothing of cups, continental and international play) since debuting in 2009.

De Bruyne is an ambitious target for a club that will make its professional debut in 2025. As we await a decision about his future, here’s how San Diego could bring the Belgian to Southern California.

A bureaucratic courtship

MLS is infamous for its labyrinth of roster rules that make the league nearly unplayable in the Football Manager video game series. In the real world, the process is only a bit less convoluted — albeit with some oddities unique to the league.

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As a single-entity circuit, all players who join an MLS club need their rights to be assigned. For a player such as De Bruyne who has never before played in MLS, teams must lodge priority claims on his “Discovery Rights,” which is functionally a web portal where teams can hold squatter’s rights over up to five players at a time. Teams will drop players from their list to make room for another target and another club can freely claim the rights of the nominally undiscovered player.

As an expansion franchise, San Diego’s discovery list holds up to seven players until the 2025 season’s roster compliance date, which comes just before the season kicks off on February 22. If San Diego has De Bruyne on their seven-man shortlist, they can move forth freely to negotiate with the player’s camp. If another team has a discovery claim on him that pre-dates San Diego’s interest, the new club will need to acquire his rights via trade (often $50,000 of general allocation money).

If this sounds like a way for conniving teams to profit off a player’s movement without intending to sign him themselves, fear not: MLS’s official rules forbid it. For players such as De Bruyne who would obviously be a designated player, MLS has the right to “determine whether the club has the necessary intent, means, and ability to sign such a player.” The rule goes on to clarify that MLS may contact a player’s current club or his representative to gauge how likely the player would come to that specific club.

“If the league determines that there is no realistic chance of signing the player at that time, he will not be discoverable.”

How much could De Bruyne make?

In short, whatever San Diego is willing to pay him.

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In 2007, MLS launched the designated player rule so teams could sign players to high wages while remaining in compliance with the league’s salary cap. The first DP, of course, was David Beckham, who left Real Madrid for the LA Galaxy to kick off MLS’s modern era. No matter his salary, a Designated Player hits the salary cap at the senior maximum budget charge. In 2025, that figure is $743,750. The salary cap for the upcoming season sits at $5.95 million annually.

Last season, nine players earned guaranteed salaries in excess of $5million. Lionel Messi led the way with his $20.4million guaranteed compensation, while Italian winger Lorenzo Insigne is second on $15.4million. Sergio Busquets ($8.8million), Xherdan Shaqiri ($8.2million) and Sebastian Driussi ($6.7million) rounded out the top five highest earners.

Currently, San Diego has one designated player: Mexico international Hirving Lozano, who signed a four-year contract with the club along his home nation’s border in June. MLS teams can sign up to three DPs,or opt to limit themselves to two DPs in exchange for an additional Under-22 Initiative signing and $2million of general allocation money.

Does San Diego’s newcomer status play a role?

Not directly. Any club can theoretically sign any player in the world regardless of market or the player’s status if they make the right sales pitch.

However, San Diego does have one of the cleanest salary cap situations of any MLS club given the nascent state of their roster. The expansion side had 17 players on its roster as of January 3, including just four true midfielders. As they’re still cobbling together their first roster, signing De Bruyne would require fewer moving parts to fall into place than a side with an established core already up against the salary cap.

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Often, new MLS clubs have tried to sign a clear leading figure. Los Angeles FC launched with Carlos Vela at the fore, while Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Driussi (Austin FC) and Lozano (San Diego) show clubs have continued to skew a bit younger compared to more aged frontmen of a bygone decade such as Kaka (Orlando City), David Villa and Frank Lampard (New York City) or Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders).

Of course, only so many players in the world can match De Bruyne’s pedigree. While his signing would almost certainly be a shorter-term partnership, it’s a rare opportunity for clubs operating beyond New York, Los Angeles or Miami.

Is this different to Messi’s Miami move?

In spirit, yes, but functionally, no.

To borrow a term from modern collectables parlance, Messi’s deal with Miami is a “one-of-one” scenario. He, too, arrived on a free transfer, allowing the club to negotiate directly with him rather than Paris Saint-Germain.

What truly made Messi’s deal singular was the considerations beyond salary that lured him to South Beach. Messi was given equity in Inter Miami, while he also sees a cut of increased income associated with league partners Apple, Adidas and Fanatics. Although Beckham’s deal involved the rights to launch an MLS club (which he did with Miami), it’s rare for a player to command that kind of lucrative perk.

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Strip away the side revenue streams and the deals look far more similar. Both players began negotiations as they neared the end of their contract with their previous club — a Bosman transfer (the 1995 Bosman ruling states that clubs from other countries can discuss and finalise pre-contract agreements with players in Europe up to six months before the expiry of their current deals). Both were earmarked for a DP slot, ensuring they would hit the salary cap at a predetermined rate. Both would require an international slot and a senior roster slot, far easier factors to sort out in the grand scheme of things.

Does this make sense for San Diego FC?

Yes.

I’m sorry, apparently I need to expand on that.

De Bruyne may not have the same marketability as Messi, but he has been at the heart of one of Europe’s all-time dynasties for a decade. His longtime friend and international teammate Christian Benteke has spoken in glowing terms about what moving to MLS has done for his career and his mental health. The Belgian striker beat Messi and Luis Suarez to win the 2024 MLS Golden Boot with 23 goals.

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go-deeper

GO DEEPER

A look at San Diego FC’s roster after the MLS expansion draft

Even in his mid-30s, De Bruyne would be a massive signing for a club entering its first season. The midfield is awfully thin as currently constructed, lacking even two players who are clearly capable of being regular starters in MLS. That depth would need to be bolstered even if De Bruyne signs given the likelihood he won’t be a “90 minutes, twice a week” option during the MLS season’s busiest stretch. That said, the Belgian has started five of City’s seven matches since December 4, including full-90 shifts against Leicester City and West Ham in the span of seven days.

For nearly a year, the flirtation between player and club has been public. Only time will tell if they can forge a partnership from their mutual interest. His leadership acumen and draw for neutral viewers would also represent a bombastic shot in the arm as the club works to make a strong first impression. Even in his mid-30s, he remains a danger for any opponent in the world’s most competitive league.

If they can sign him, it’ll ensure San Diego remains in the broader MLS discourse from day one.

(Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.





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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees


SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

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The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

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Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

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Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

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Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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Scripps Oceanography granted $15M for deep sea, glacier science

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Scripps Oceanography granted M for deep sea, glacier science


The Fund for Science and Technology, a new private foundation, granted Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego $15 million for ocean science Tuesday.

FFST, funded by the estate of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, was started in 2025 with a commitment to invest at least $500 million over four years to “propel transformative science and technology for people and the planet.”

“Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is pushing boundaries for exploration and discovery across the global ocean,” Chancellor Pradeep Khosla said. “This visionary support from the Fund for Science and Technology will enable Scripps researchers to advance our understanding of our planet, which has meaningful implications for communities around the world.”

The grant, the largest of its kind since Scripps joined UCSD in 1960, will go toward research in three areas: monitoring of environmental DNA and other biomolecules in marine ecosystems, adding to the Argo network of ocean observing robots, and enhancing the study of ocean conditions beneath Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the “Doomsday Glacier.”

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Scripps Institution of Oceanography has used Argo floats for more than two decades to track climate impacts in our oceans. NBC 7 meteorologist Greg Bledsoe reports.

“The Fund for Science and Technology was created to support transformational science in the search of answers to some of the planet’s most complex questions,” said Dr. Lynda Stuart, president and CEO at the fund. “Scripps has a long tradition of leadership at the frontiers of ocean and climate science, and this work builds on that legacy — strengthening the tools and insights needed to understand our environment at a truly global and unprecedented scale.”

Scripps Director Emeritus Margaret Leinen will use a portion of the grant in her analysis of eDNA — free-floating fragments of DNA shed by organisms into the environment — in understudied parts of the ocean to collect crucial baseline data on marine organisms, according to a statement from Scripps.

“In many regions, we know very little about the microbial communities that form the base of the ocean food web or that make deep sea ecosystems so unique,” Leinen said. “Without data, we can’t predict how these communities are going to respond to climate change or what the consequences might be. That’s a vulnerability — and this funding will help us begin to address it.”

Using autonomous samplers that can collect ocean water for eDNA analysis, as well as conventional sampling, scientists will use tools to “reveal the biology of the open ocean and polar regions.”

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According to Scripps, the international Argo program has more than 4,000 floats that drift with currents and periodically dive to measure temperature, salinity and pressure. Standard floats can record data up to depths of 2,000 meters (6,560 feet), while newer Deep Argo floats can dive to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet).

The grant funding announced Tuesday will allow for Scripps to deploy around 50 Deep Argo floats along with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.

Sarah Purkey, physical oceanographer at Scripps and Argo lead, said this leap forward in deep ocean monitoring comes at a crucial time because the deep sea has warmed faster than expected over the last two decades.

Thwaites Glacier is Antarctica’s largest collapsing glacier and contains enough ice to raise global sea level by roughly two feet if it were to collapse entirely. According to Scripps, prior expeditions led by scientist Jamin Greenbaum discovered anomalously warm water beneath the glacier’s ice shelf — contributing to melting from below. Greenbaum now seeks to collect water samples and other measurements from beneath Thwaites’ ice tongue to disentangle the drivers of its rapid melting.

This season’s Antarctic fieldwork will “test hypotheses about the drivers of Thwaites’ rapid melt with implications for sea-level rise projections,” the statement from Scripps said.

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“The ocean holds answers to some of the most pressing questions about our planet’s future, but only if we can observe it,” said Meenakshi Wadhwa, director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and vice chancellor for marine sciences at UCSD. “This historic grant will help ocean scientists bring new tools and approaches to parts of the ocean we’ve barely begun to explore.”



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